Remotely applied conductor spacer



P 1966 R. M. DECKER ETAL 3,271,510

REMOTELY APPLIED CONDUCTOR SPACER Filed Dec. 1, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. ROBERT M. DECKER 8| Bil EoNARD J. GIEROSKY I3 7114 a Bad;

ATTORNEYS p 6, 1966 R. M. DECKER ETAL 3,271,51

REMOTELY APPLIED CONDUCTOR SPACER 5 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Dec. 1, 1964 INVENTORS. DECKER a D a. GIEROSKY ROBERT M. LEONAR won ATTORNEYS Sept. 6, 1966 R. M. DECKER ETAL. 3,271,510

REMOTELY APPLIED CONDUCTOR SPACER Filed Dec. 1, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS. ROBERT M. DECKER 8 LEONARD J. GIEROSKY ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ohio Filed Dec. 1, 1964, Ser. No. 415,114 14 Claims. (Cl. 174146) This invention relates to the art of spacers and more particularly to a spacer having particular application for spacing overhead distribution conductors or cables.

Although the present invention is particularly applicable for spacing overhead distribution lines, it is not limited thereto and may, for example, be utilized in other applications in which it is desirable to maintain a predetermined distance between two or more elements.

A spacer known heretofore in the prior art for maintaining a predetermined distance between a pair of conductors takes the form of a pair of elongated, flat bars disposed in superimposed parallel relationship. Each bar has a series of spaced lateral slots extending in the same direction and opening through an edge of the bar with a slot of one bar coacting with the corresponding slot of the other bar for receiving a conductor. The bars are resiliently biased in opposing axial directions so as to normally resiliently grip the conductor by means of the coacting slots in the bars. With such a construction a user of the spacer must apply the spacer directly to the intended point of application which may be remotely located .at a point intermediate support poles, i.e., telephone or power line poles, thereby requiring the user to erect a ladder or the like at the point of intended application. Still further, due to the flatness of the elongated bars the conductors are normally gripped at point locations resulting in points of stress at which, for example, under vibration forces the conductors may rupture.

Another spacer known in the prior art for purposes of maintaining a predetermined distance between a pair of conductors also takes the form of a. pair of elongated, flat, thin bars disposed in superimposed parallel relationship and having slots somewhat similar to that of the spacer describe-d above. However, the bars while being relatively movable in opposing axial directions are not resiliently biased, but are moved relative one to the other by means of a remotely controlled adjustment screw threaded to the bottom of one of the bars and arranged in such a manner that upon remotely adjusting the screw the bars are moved to close the slots tightly onto the conductors. However, a readily apparent disadvantage of such a spacer is that the user may in tightening the screw cause the slots to bear against the conductors with a force far in excess of that required to maintain the spacer at the desired conductor location. The result is conductor points of undue stress at which, for example, under vibration forces accompanying storms, winds and the like, there may result conductor fatigue and consequent rupture.

The present invention is directed toward a spacer which may be secured to distribution conductors at an easily accessible location and then displaced to a desired point of application at which it may be remotely locked into place in such a manner that no undue stress takes place at the point of application to the conductors, thereby overcoming the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art spacer constructions discussed above.

In accordance with the present invention, a spacer for maintaining a predetermined spacing between a pair of elongated elements, such as conductors, is provided including first and sec-0nd relatively movable members with each member having a pair of spaced element receiving slots formed therein. The slots in the first member correspond in spacing with those of the second member. The members have an element locked position relative to each other in which the slots of one member coact with corresponding slots in the other member so as to lock an element in place within a pair of corresponding slots. The first and second members have an element unlocked position with respect to each other in which the corresponding slots of the members are disposed relative to each other to permit easy entry and exit of an element from a pair of corresponding slots. Resilient means are interposed between the members for purposes of resiliently biasing the members toward the locked position. Removable means are provided for securing the members together in the element unlocked position until removed, at which time the members are urged to the element locked position by the resilient means.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the first and second members have an intermediate position intermediate the element locked and element unlocked positions in which the corresponding slots receive elements with a sliding fit, but exit preventing manner so that the spacer may be slidably displaced relative to the elements to a predetermined location along the length of the elements. Another removable means is provided for securing the members together in the intermediate position upon release of the first removable means and when the second removable means is released the first and second members will be urged toward their element locked position by the resilient means.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a spacer particularly adapted for maintaining a predetermined spacing between conductors and which is economical to manufacture and simple in construction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer which may easily be attached to overhead lines at an accessible location and then easily displaced along the length of the lines to a desired point of spacer application.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a spacer which in application does not create forces acting on the lines of application creating points of undue stress.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating the environment and application of the embodiment of the invention according to that as illustrated in FIGURES 2-10;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view partly in section illustrating one preferred embodiment of the inventive spacer in its element locked position;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view illustrating portions of the inner and outer coaxial members according to the embodiments illustrated in FIGURES 2-10, and their structural distinctions, as well as the first and second removable means;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis of the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URES 2-10, but illustrating the inner member as being solid;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to that in FIGURE 6, but illustrating the inner member as being hollow and filled with a plastic type foam;

FIGURE 8 is a partial elevational view illustrating the spacer according to FIGURES 2-10 in its element unlocked position;

'illusrating a second embodiment of the inventive spacer in its element locked position;

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 14 is a view taken along line 14-14 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 15 is a partial elevational view of the spacer illustrated in FIGURE 11, but shown in its element un locked position; and,

FIGURE 16 is a partial elevational view somewhat similar to that as illustrated in FIGURE 15,'but illustrating the spacer in its intermediate position.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention and not for purposes of limiting same, FIGURES 2 through 10 illustrate one embodiment of the invention in which a line spacer 10 is provided including a tubular outer spacer bar 12 coaxially surrounding a cylindrical inner spacer bar 14 telescoping from and in sliding relationship with spacer bar 12. Preferably, spacer bars 12 and 14 are constructed of electrical insulating material, such as epoxy or fiber glass.

Each of the bars 12 and 14 is provided with a plurality of conductor element receiving L-shaped slots, the number of L-shaped slots depending upon the number of conductor elements to which the spacer is to be secured.

, According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 2 through 10, three element receiving L-shaped slots are provided in each of the spacer bars, as three conductor elements C are to be maintained in a predetermined spaced relationship. As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the outer bar 12 is provided with three conductor receiving L-shaped slots 16 spaced longitudinally along bar 12 with a predetermined distance S maintained between adjacent slots. The distance S corresponds with the desired spacing to be maintained between adjacent conductors C. Similarly, the inner spaced bar 14 is provided with three conductor receiving L-shaped slots 18 spaced longitudinally along the length of the bar 14 with adjacent slots being spaced from each other by the predetermined distance S.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, the structural details of L-shaped slots 16 and 18 are shown in greater detail. Each of the L-shaped slots 16 formed in the outer spacer bar 12 includes a first conductor receiving slot portion 20 extending radially of the bar 12 and a second element receiving portion 22 extending along the longitudinal axis of the bar 12 and terminating in an arcuate shoulder '24. As illustrated in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, a pair of arcuate flanges 26, 28 depend from the outer surface of bar 12 adjacent arcuate shoulder 24 and extend outwardly in opposing directions perpendicular of the longitudinal axis of bar 12. The inner surface of each of the flanges 26, 28 corresponds in curvature with the arcuate shoulder 24, which in turn is of a curvature slightly greater than that of a conductor intended to be received by slot 16. The flanges 26, 28 each extend outwardly of the bar 12 for a distance in the order of a quarter of an inch, although the particular distance is not critical within the contemplation of the invention, but is sufiicient to prevent conductor wear particularly if insulation is utilized, as well as to distribute gripping forces when the spacer is locked to a conductor over a sufiicient length of the conductor to prevent a point of stress.

Each of the L-shaped slots 18 provided in the inner spacer bar 14 includes a first conduct-or receiving slot portion 30 extending radially of bar 14 and terminating in a second slot portion 32 extending along the longitudinal axis of bar 14 and in turn terminating in an arcuate shoulder 34. It will be noted with respect to FIGURES 2 and 5 that the slot portion 22 of each L-shaped slot 16 extends in an opposing axial direction from that of slot portion 32 of each L-shaped slot 18. With this construction it is seen that when the L-shaped slots 16, 18 are in registry with each other, as in the case in which the spacer 10 is in its locked position as illustrated in FIG- URE2, the arcuate shoulder 24 of each slot 16 coacts with the arcuate shoulder 34 of a corresponding slot 18 to secure a received conductor in place.

From the description thus far, it will appear that the inner spacer bar 14 is tubular in construction as is the outer spacer bar 12. For many applications such a construction will be sufficient since the extent of the flanges 26, 28 on the outer bar 12 will provide sufficient distribution of gripping forces to prevent rupture and/or wear of the conductors, as well as prevent points of stress. However, if an even greater distribution of the gripping forces on the conductors to which the spacer is applied is desired, the inner bar 14 may be solid in construction as illustrated in FIGURE 6, wherein each of the arcuate shoulders 34 defines a continuous arcuate surface extending radially through the bar 14. This provides a greater surface area in contact with a locked in place conductor to distribute gripping forces over a greater length of the conductor. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG URE 7, the bar 14 may be hollow in construction but filled with a plastic like foam 15 which upon hardening essentially renders the bar solid in construction and ex hibiting the same characteristics as discussed with respect to FIGURE 6.

The spacer bars 12 and 14 are resiliently biased in op posing axial directions, such as by the provision of a coiled spring 36 suitably interposed between the bars. As is illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the coiled spring 36 is provided at one end with a hook portion 38 which is secured to the spacer bar 12 via a suitable pin 40 ex tending through the loop of the hook portion 38 and held in place in the walls of bar 12. Similarly, the other end of the coiled spring 36 is provided with a hook portion 42 which is secured to the inner spacer bar 14 by means of a suitable pin 44 extending through the loop of the hook portion 42 and secured in place in the walls of bar 14. In this manner the coiled spring 36 serves to resiliently bias bars 12 and 14 in opposing axial directions so that, for example, with a conductor received by corresponding slots 16, 18 the bars will be biased in their locked position as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, whereupon a resilient gripping force is exerted on the conductor via the arcuate shoulders 24, 34 of the bars 12 and 14, respectively.

The inner spacer bar 14 is provided with a first pair of diametrically opposed apertures 46, 48 near the right end thereof, as viewed in FIGURE '2, and a second pair of diametrically opposed apertures 50, 52 spaced longitudinally of the first pair of apertures toward the right end of bar 14. The first pair of apertures 46, 48 are aligned in a vertical plane with the second pair of apertures 50, 52 as viewed in FIGURE 7. Further, the first pair of apertures are so located in the inner spacer bar 14 that with the bar 14 telescoped to the right to the extent illustrated in FIGURE 8, a suitable pin 54, such as a cotter pin, extending through the apertures 46, 48 will bear against the annular shoulder 13 on the right end of bar 12 to hold the inner bar 14 in place against the resilient force exerted by coil spring 36. In this position of spacer 10 the slot portions 20, 30 of corresponding L-shaped slots 16, 18 will be in registry permitting easy entry of a conductor C through the radial slots, as illustrated in FIG- URE 8. This may be defined as the spacer unlocked position.

52 are located in the inner bar '14 at such a location that with a second easily removable pin 56 extending therethrough and pin 54 removed, the spacer will take the configuration as illustrated in FIGURE 9, at which pin 56 will bear against the annular shoulder 13 of bar 12 to maintain the inner bar 14 in place against the resilient force exerted by spring 36. In this configuration, slot portions 20, 36 of corresponding L-shaped slots 16, 18 are axially displaced in such a manner that a conductor C may be received within an axially extending space 58 defined by the slot portions 22, 32 of L-shaped slots 16, 18. In this manner, the conductor C is prevented from exit from the spacer 10, but is received within the space 58 with a loose fit permitting the spacer to be easily slid along the length of the conductor C, if desired, to a remote point of application. This position of spacer 10 may be define-d as an intermediate position.

Upon removal of pin 56 from the diametrically aligned apertures 50, 52 in the bar 14, as illustrated in FIGURE 10, the bars 14 and 12 will be displaced in opposing axial directions relative to each other under the urging of the resilient force due to the spring 36 so as to resiliently grip the conductor C via the arcuate shoulders 24, 34 defined by the L-shaped slots 16, 18 in the bars 12 and 14, respectively. This position of spacer 10 may be defined as the element locked position.

Operation In operation the spacer 10 will initially be in its conductor unlocked position with bot-h pins 54, 56 in place, as illustrated in FIGURE 8, and may be applied to an overhead distribution line system including three conductors C at an easily accessible location A (see FIGURE 1), which may be adjacent a distribution conductor suspension pole apparatus 58. The spacing S between adjacent L-shaped slots 16 in the bar 12 and between adjacent L-shaped slots 18 in the bar 14 is preferably the desired predetermined distance to be maintained between adjacent conductors C. In applying the spacer 10 to the conductors C the spacer is positioned relative to the conductors so that the slot portions 20, of the L-shaped slots 16, 18 extend in a direction to receive the conductors C, as illustrated in FIGURE 8. With each of the conductors received by a corresponding pair of L-shaped slots 16, 18 of the spacer 10, the first removable pin 54 may be removed whereby the inner bar 14 is displaced relative to the outer bar 12 in a direction from right to left, as viewed in FIGURE 8, under the urging of the spring 36 until the spacer 10 is in its conductor intermediate guiding position, illustrated in FIGURE 9. When the spacer is in its intermediate position the conductors C are prevented from exit from the space 58 defined by each of the corresponding pairs of L-shaped slots 16, 18. Accordingly, it is obvious that the spacer 10 may be applied from beneath the overhead distribution conductors C or from above since once the removable pin 54 is removed the spacer 10 is held in place on the conductors C.

Suitable loops of rope 60, 62 may be looped about the spacer 10 so that a lineman 64 may pull the spacer from the easily accessible location A to a remote location B, which is the intended location along the distribution lines at which a spacer is required. At location B the lineman 64 may simply remove the rope loops 60, 62 and remove pin 56 by means of a string 65. With pin 56 removed the inner spacer 14 will be displaced to its conductor locked position, illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 10, at which the spacer exerts resilient gripping forces on the conductors C via the arcuate shoulders 24, 34 of L-shaped slots 16, 18, respectively. Due to the extent of the arcuate flanges 26, 28, and to the solid construction of the inner bar 14, if constructed according to that as illustrated in either FIGURES 6 or 7, the resilient gripping forces exerted by the spacer bar 10 upon conductors C will extend over a considerable length of each of the conductors C minimizing points of stress, but yet exerting suflicient gripping force to prevent relative displacement of the spacer 10 with respect to the conductors C. In this manner, the spacer 10 will remain at the desired point of application B.

Referring now to FIGURES ll, 12, 13, l4, l5 and 16, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the invention taking the form of a three legged spacer 70. Spacer 70 includes two three legged relatively movable members 72, 74, each preferably constructed of insulating material, such as epoxy or fiber glass. As illustrated in FIGURES 12 and 13, spacer member 72 includes a pair of complementary portions 76, 78, each having three equally spaced leg portions. Spacer portion 76 includes a hub 80 to which hub 81 of spacer portion 78 is secured by means of a suitable rivet 82. Spacer member '72 is provided with a pair of outstanding arcuate flanges 84, 86 extending in opposing directions from portions 76, 78, respectively, and serving the same purpose as arcuate flanges 26, 28 on the outer surface of spacer bar 12, illustrated in FIGURES 2 through 10. Each of the corresponding leg portions of portions 76, 78 of spacer member 72 define a U-shaped channel 88 of sufiicient size to receive a leg portion of the three legged spacer member 74. The spacer member 74 is provided with an aperture 90 in the vicinity of its hub portion, which coaxially surrounds the hub 80 of the portion 76 of spacer member 72, as is illustrated in FIGURES 11 and 12. A torsion spring 92 surrounds the hub 80 of spacer member 72 and has one end 94 extending through a suitable slot 96 in portion 76 of member 72, and its other end 98 bent and received within one of the legs of the three legged spacer member 74. In this manner, spring 92 serves to provide a resilient bias force about hub 80 to resiliently bias spacer members 72, 74 in opposing directions about the hub 80 toward the spacer locked position, illustrated 'by the solid lines in FIGURE 11, in which each of thelegs of spacer member 74 is completely received within one of the U-shaped channels 88.

Each of the legs of spacer member 72 is provided with a pair of corresponding conductor receiving L-shaped slots .16 corresponding in size and configuration with the L-shaped slots 16 according to the embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGURES 2 through 10. However, the first slot portion 20 of the L-shaped slot 16 in spacer member 72 extends inwardly from the end of each leg portion with the second slot portion 22 extending in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 11. Similarly, the inner spacer member 74 is provided with an L-shaped conductor receiving slot 18 in the end of each leg portion with its first slot portion 30 extending inwardly toward the hub 80 of spacer 70 and its second slot portion 32 extending in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 11.

The U-shaped channel 88 in each of the leg portions of spacer member 72 terminates in the direction away from hub 80' in an end wall 100 defined by inwardly turned flanges 102, 104 of portions 76, 78 of spacer member 72. A pair of spaced apertures 106, 108 are provided in the end wall 100 of one of the legs of spacer member 72, as illustrated in FIGURES 15 and 16. The first aperture 1% serves to receive a removable pin 54 in a manner similar to that illustrated with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGURE 8. With pin 54 inserted through the aperture 106, as illustrated in FIGURE 15, one edge of the pin will serve as a stopper against which one leg of spacer member 74 is stopped and prevented from being displaced in a clockwise direction about hub 80 under the urging of the spring 92, as viewed in FIG- URES 11, 15 and 16. Aperture 1% is so located in the end wall 100 that with pin 54 in place the first slot portion 20 of L-shaped slot 16 in the spacer member 72 will be in registry with first slot portion 30 of the L-shaped slot 18 of the spacer member 74, in a manner similar to that as described with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGURE 8. This is the spacer unlocked conductor receiving position.

The second aperture 108 in the end wall 100 is so located that with a pin 56 received in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 16, and with pin 54 removed from aperture 106, the spacer member 74 will be displaced in a clock wise direction, as viewed in FIGURES 15 and 16, about hub 80 taking the position as illustrated in FIGURE 16, against pin 56 which serves as a stopper. In this position, which is similar to that as illustrated with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGURE 9, a space 58 is defined by the L-shaped slots 16, 18 which permits sliding movement of the spacer 70 along the length of a conductor C, but prevents exit of the conductor from the space 58. This position or orientation of spacer 70 may be referred to as an intermediate position. Upon removal of pin 56 the inner spacer member 74 will further rotate in a clockwise direction about hub 80, as viewed in FIGURES 11, 15 and 16, so that the spacer is in its element or conductor locked position, illustrated in FIG- URE 11.

In operation, the spacer 70 is applied to the conductors C in a manner quite similar to that as discussed hereinbefore with respect to the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URES 2 through 10. Preferably, however, spacer 70 is used for spacing three conductors C which are disposed in mutually parallel but not mutually coplanar relationship, as illustrated in FIGURE 11. The spacer 70 is applied to the conductors at an easily accessible position, such as location A shown in FIGURE 1, if the conductors are oriented in a triangular manner. Then, each conductor C is inserted through the slot portions 20, 30 of corresponding L-shaped slots 16, 18 located in the ends of the three legged spacer 70, in a manner quite similar to that as described hereinbefore with respect to the embodiments shown in FIGURES 2 through Thereafter, the first pin 54 is removed from aperture 106 whereby the spacer member 74 rotates in a clockwise direction about hub 80 under the urging of spring 92 so that the spacer takes the orientation as illustrated in FIGURE 16, i.e., the intermediate position. A lineman may then loop ropes about the spacer in a manner similar to that as described with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 2 through 10, and tow the spacer 70 to the desired remote point of application, such as location B. The second pin 56 is then removed from aperture 10% whereby spacer member 74 rotates in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURES 10, and 16, to attain the orientation illustrated in FIGURE 11. In this orientation the spacer resiliently grips the three conductors C, maintaining them in .a predetermined spaced orientation and the spacer is held in place at the desired remote location.

The invention has been described in connection with two particular preferred embodiments, but is not to be limited to same. Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present inven tion as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

LA remotely applied spacer for spacing at least a pair of elongated conductive elements and comprising first and second relatively movable nonconductive members, each member having a pair of spaced element receiving slots formed therein, the slots in said first member corresponding in spacing with those of said second member, said first and second members having an element locked posi tion with respect to each other in which the slots of one member are in registry with corresponding slots in the other member and coact together to lock an element in place in each pair of corresponding slots, resilient means interposed between said members for resiliently bias ing said members in said locked position, said first and second members having an element unlocked position with respect to each other in which the corresponding slots of said members are disposed relative to each other to permit entry and exit of an element, said slots in said first and second mQI bQ S being p Slots, each ing a first slot portion extending radially inward of said members to permit entry and exit of an element from the side of said spacer and a second slot portion extending axially of said members and wherein said second slot portion in said first member extends in an axially opposing direction from said second slot portion in said second member, and remotely actuated removable means securing said members in said element unlocked position until removed at which time said members are urged to said element locked position by said resilient means.

2. A spacer for spacing a pair of elongated elements and comprising first and second relatively movable members, each member having a pair of spaced element re* ceiving slots formed therein, the slots in said first mem ber corresponding in spacing with those of said second member, said first and second members having an element locked position relative to each other in which the slots of one member are in registry with corresponding slots in the other member and coact together to lock an ele ment in place in each pair of corresponding slots, resilient means interposed between said members for resiliently biasing said members in said locked position, said first and second members having an element unlocked position with respect to each other in which the corresponding slots of said members are disposed relative to each other to permit entry and exit of an element, said first and second members having an intermediate position intermediate said element locked and unlocked positions in which said corresponding slots receive said elements with a sliding but exit preventing manner so that said spacer may be slidably displaced relative to said elements to a desired location along the length of said elements, first removable means securing said members together in said element unlocked position until removed at which time said members are urged toward said element locked po' sition by said resilient means, and second removable means adapted to be remotely removed securing said members together in said intermediate position upon release of said first removable means and when said second removable means is released said members are urged to said element locked position by said resilient means.

3. A spacer for spacing a pair of elongated elements as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first member is an elongated hollow member and said second member is slidably received within said first member and wherein said resilient means serves to resiliently bias said members in opposing axial directions.

4. A spacer for spacing a' pair of elongated elements 7 as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first and second members are circular in cross-section with said first member coaxially surrounding said second member.

5. A spacer as set forth in claim 4 wherein said slots in said first and second members include slot portions extending in opposing axial directions.

6. A spacer as set forth in claim 4 wherein said slots in said first and second members are L-shaped slots each having .a first slot portion extending radially inward of said said members and a second portion extending axially of said members and wherein said second slot portion in said first member extends in an axially opposing direction from said second slot portion in said first member.

7. A spacer as set forth in claim 6 including a pair of arcuate flanges depending from diametrically opposite sides of said first member adjacent one end of each of said second axially extending portions in said first member and extending in a direction normal to that of the axis of said first member for purposes of distributing the element gripping forces.

8. A spacer as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first and second members are constructed of electrically insulating material.

9. A spacer as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second member is hollow.

10. A spacer as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second member is solid in construction.

11. A spacer for spacing three elongated elements which are disposed in mutually parallel but not in mutually coplanar relationship and comprising: first and second members, each member having a hub portion and three leg portions extending from said hub portion with the leg portions being angularly disposed from each other about said hub portion, said first and second members being secured to each other at said hub portions for relative angular movement about said hub portions, the angular relationship of the leg portions of said first member being substantially the same as that of said second member, each leg portion having an element receiving slot formed therein with the slot in each leg portion of said first member corresponding with a slot in a leg portion of said second member, said first and second members having an element locked position with respect to each other in which the slots of on member are in registry with the corresponding slots in the other member and coact together to lock an element in place in each pair of corresponding slots, resilient means interposed between said members for resiliently biasing said members in said locked position, said first and second members having an element unlocked position with respect to each other in which the corresponding slots of said members are disposed relative to each other to permit entry and exit of an element, and removable means securing said members in said element unlocked position until removed at which time said members are urged to said element locked position by said resilient means 12. A spacer for spacing three elongated elements which are disposed in mutually parallel but not in mutually coplanar relationship and comprising: first and second members, each member having a hub portion and three leg portions extending from said hub portion with the leg portions being angularly disposed from each other about said hub portion, said first and second members being secured to each other at said hub port-ions for relative angular movement about said hub portions, the angular relationship or the leg portions of said first member being substantially the same as that of said second member, each leg portion having an element receiving slot formed therein with the slot in each leg portion of said first member corresponding with a slot in the leg portion of said second member, said first and second members having an element locked position relative to each other in which the slots of one member are in registry with corresponding slots in the other member and coact together to lock an element in place in each pair of corresponding slots, resilient means interposed between said members for resiliently biasing said members in said locked position, said first and second members having an element unlocked position with .respect to each other in which the corresponding slots of said members are disposed relative to each other to permit entry and exit of an element, said first and second members having an intermediate position intermediate said element locked and unlocked positions in which said corresponding slots receive said elements with a sliding but exit preventing manner so that said spacer may be slidably displaced relative to said elements to a desired location along the length of said elements, first movable means securing said members together in said element unlocked position until removed at which time said members are urged toward said element locked position by said resilient means, and second removable means securing said members together in said intermediate position upon release of said first removable means and when said second removable means is released said members are urged to said element locked position by said resilient means.

13. A spacer as set forth in claim 12 wherein said slots in said leg portions are L-shaped slots each having a slot portion extending from the end of a leg portion toward said hub portion and a second portion extending substantially perpendicular to said first portion and wherein said second slot portion in each leg portion of said first member extends in an opposing angular direction from each second slot portion in the leg portions of said second member with respect to said hub portions.

14. A spacer as set forth in claim 13 wherein said first and second members are constructed of electrically insulating material.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,457,435 12/1948 Beckrnan.

2,791,335 5/1957 Leebow.

2,860,907 11/ 1958 Vanciel.

3,066,181 1 1/ 1962 Flower 174-146 3,066,182 11/ 1962 Flower 174146 3,073,890 1/ 1963 C-hewning et al 174146 3,194,874 7/ 1965 'I-Iusted 174-146 X FOREIGN PATENTS 4,232 1882 Great Britain. 53,920 1/ 1911 Switzerland.

LARAMIE E. ASKIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A REMOTELY APPLIED SPACER FOR SPACING AT LEAST A PAIR OF ELONGATED CONDUCTIVE ELEMENTS AND COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND RELATIVELY MOVABLE NONCONDUCTIVE MEMBERS, EACH MEMBER HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED ELEMENT RECEIVING SLOTS FORMED THEREIN, THE SLOTS IN SAID FIRST MEMBER CORRESPONDING IN SPACING WITH THOSE OF SAID SECOND MEMBER, SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS HAVING AN ELEMENT LOCKED POSITION WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER IN WHICH THE SLOT OF ONE MEMBER ARE IN REGISTRY WITH CORRESPONDING SLOTS IN THE OTHER MEMBER AND COACT TOGETHER TO LOCK AN ELEMENT IN PLACE IN EACH PAIR OF CORRESPONDING SLOTS, RESILIENT MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID MEMBERS FOR RESILIENTLY BIASING SAID MEMBERS IN SAID LOCKED POSITION, SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS HAVING AN ELEMENT UNLOCKED POSITION WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER IN WHICH THE CORRESPONDING SLOTS OF SAID MEMBERS ARE DISPOSED RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER TO PERMIT ENTRY AND EXIT OF AN ELEMENT, SAID SLOTS IN SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS BEING L-SHAPED SLOTS, EACH HAVING A FIRST SLOT PORTION EXTENDING RADIALLY INWARD OF SAID MEMBERS TO PERMIT ENTRY AND EXIT OF AN ELEMENT FROM THE SIDE OF SAID SPACER AND A SECOND SLOT PORTION EXTENDING AXIALLY OF SAID MEMBERS AND WHEREIN SAID SECOND SLOT PORTION IN SAID FIRST MEMBER EXTENDS IN AN AXIALLY OPPOSING DIRECTION FROM SAID SECOND SLOT PORTION IN SAID SECOND MEMBER, AND REMOTELY ACTUATED REMOVABLE MEANS SECURING SAID MEMBERS IN SAID ELEMENT UNLOCKED POSITION UNTIL REMOVED AT WHICH TIME SAID MEMBERS ARE URGED TO SAID ELEMENT LOCKED POSITION BY SAID RESILIENT MEANS. 